Is your goal to have more time?
Let me tell you how I can save you time by being more productive!
“Humanity’s goal is to save more time” – Marcus Weldon, President Bell Labs & CTO Nokia
How scary is it to look at a blank page on a screen and realise that you have to populate it with words and images that grab people’s attention and retain their interest for a period of time!
My business is coaching/preparing people to make important presentations. Here are some of the tips, advice and guidance I give them.
This advice does not only apply to presentations; it’s equally applicable to e-mails, proposals and tenders that you are required to send.
My solution to this problem is templates.
I provide my clients with templates for the typical scenarios that arise every day, e.g. sales talk, pitches, proposal, tenders, documents, etc.
Initially, all that I require of my client is to answer the questions asked of them on the template. The skill is then to expand/enhance each answer by the use of stories, examples, analogies, etc.
My templates dramatically reduce the amount of time required to get ready.
You’re saying it can’t be that simple – but it is …
Here are some examples of where templates are used:
The template for a book is xxxx number of words, divided into 8 to 10 chapters each with a heading and a number of subheadings.
This skill/genius is that each writer puts his/her own style into the content. Be it James Joyce, Maeve Binchy, Frederick Forsyth or Stephen King.
Tip: All great writers start with the end in mind and often write the last sentence first. You should do the same.
The Movies:
Western movies generally have the same template –
The hero rides into town – something happens – our hero rides out of town.
James Bond –
Start: With action + more action + kissy kissy
End: EVEN BIGGER ACTION SEQUENCE.
“89% of award- winning ads can be classified into six basic categories or templated” – ‘Made to Stick’ – Chip & Dan Heath (one of my favourite books)
Great Ads are always telling stories in 20 – 30 sec –
- Kerrygold: Who is bringing the horse to France?
- Coca Cola: Holidays are coming
- Barry’s Tea: Christmas train set (on radio since 1994)
- Ferrero Rocher: Ambassador’s Reception
- Australian Tourism: Come and say G’Day
Here is my suggested template for introducing you or your business idea:
Question 1:
What is the problem you solve for your prospect?
(Tell a story/example to demonstrate your knowledge of the problem)
Introduce yourself.
Question 2:
How do you solve this problem?
Question 3:
How is the prospect better as a result of your intervention?
If you wish to be more productive and free up time by using templates please get in touch.
P.S. Added Bonus
Here is a great template for a tweet:
- Question?
- Solution
- Call to action with Link